SA WG4 Codec deals with the specifications for speech, audio, video, and multimedia codecs, in both circuit-switched and packet-switched environments. Other topics within the mandate of SA WG4 are: quality evaluation, end-to-end performance, and interoperability aspects with existing mobile and fixed networks (from codec point of view).

Terms of reference

Development and maintenance of specifications for speech, audio, video, and other media codecs, for media transport and handling including media related session descriptions, and for presentation layer as required to enable services specified for 3GPP terminals and systems. Note: Other 3GPP Working Groups also have responsibilities for transport.

Guidance to other 3GPP groups concerning required QoS parameters and other system implications, including channel coding requirements, imposed by different multimedia codecs in both circuit-switched and packet-switched environments.

Interoperability aspects with existing mobile and fixed networks from codec and media transport point of view.

These responsibilities are specific to 3GPP multimedia services involving speech, audio, video or other media.

In conducting its work, the Codec WG will strive to specify best possible technical solutions at the same time considering the planned global use of the codecs with flexibility needs imposed by different regional requirements and preferences, including differences in quality/capacity trade-offs.